As Prop Master in theatre shows, I break down the script, source the props (including my favourite part: making things!) and dress the set.
Photo: Victoria London 
Authentically decorated Victorian Christmas tree 
Period telephone & notices 
I hand painted these fire buckets 
I sourced this range of desk props 
I created and applied the graphics to this tin, then distressed it 
These books are all cardboard except for two. 
A selection of prop details including a handmade clay pie 
Photo: Victoria London
The Signalman – Mudlark Creative (Drayton Arms), December 2025 – Prop Master
This show was a lot of fun to work on, and required no small amount of ingenuity on a tight budget! My absolute favourite piece was the bookcase – it needed to be light because of a movement sequence, so all those books except two are covered and painted segments of cardboard tubes. I also adored creating the authentic Victorian Christmas tree decorations – dried oranges, individually tied ribbon bows, pine cones, and many metres of paper chain.
The Winslow Boy – Wokingham Theatre, October 2025 – Prop Master/ASM
A classic Edwardian set, with a few complex makes – the challenge here came in the scene changes, as the show shifted across seasons. I worked with the SM to create a smooth running order for each scene change, so that the other Assistant Stage Managers and I could shift props around without interrupting the flow of the play.
Entertaining Angels – Wokingham Theatre, September 2024 – Prop Master
This show looked deceptively simple but had a lot going on behind the scenes. I created several flower arrangements and kept the tomato plants alive on stage for the full two week run – we even had a tomato ripen on stage through the run!
The Ballad of Maria Marten – Studio Theatre at South Hill Park, March 2024 – Prop Master
This was such a lovely show to work on – I also acted in it so knew it inside and out by the end! I loved creating the ‘before and after’ props, as they were seen at various points in time throughout the show. I had a great chance to get the soldering iron out again with the lanterns – I made both candles in moulds, then wired them up to switch on with a hidden switch on the outside of the lantern, then melted them back down a bit to make them look well used. I dyed and embroidered the handkerchiefs, then bloodied one of them, and I also hand stitched a buttonhole and gold button on to the new green umbrella. It’s all in the details!
Sweeney Todd – Studio Theatre at South Hill Park, December 2023 – Prop Master
This show was a lot of fun, as I got to create all sorts of gory bits for Mrs Lovett’s pie shop. My special favourite was creating the recipe for the “meat” to go through the mincer, getting to hear the audience reactions was a highlight of the show! You can watch a video of the mincer here.
